Final answer:
The most effective way to strengthen students' comprehension and critical thinking skills is by assigning challenging reading materials and asking thought-provoking questions. The correct answer is 1) Assigning challenging reading materials and asking thought-provoking questions
Step-by-step explanation:
The most effective way to strengthen students' comprehension and critical thinking skills is by assigning challenging reading materials and asking thought-provoking questions. By engaging with complex texts and being prompted to think deeply about the content, students are able to develop their comprehension skills and exercise their critical thinking abilities. This approach encourages them to analyze, evaluate, and interpret information, ultimately strengthening their overall understanding and ability to think critically.
In contrast, giving lectures and providing detailed notes may help students acquire new information and facts, but it does not necessarily encourage them to critically engage with the material or develop their own independent thinking skills.
Similarly, assigning repetitive exercises and worksheets may help reinforce basic knowledge, but it does not foster higher-level thinking or the ability to critically analyze and evaluate information.
Conducting group discussions and debates, on the other hand, encourages students to actively listen, share their opinions, and engage with diverse perspectives. This collaborative approach promotes critical thinking skills as students need to critically evaluate arguments, defend their own viewpoints, and consider alternative perspectives.